<USS Avalon> "Crossing the Language Barrier"

Crossing the Language Barrier 

*by Lt First Class Georgia Lewis and Lt. Sussanna Jameson*

Wandering into Sick Bay, her head stuck in a book, Anna barely noticed 
anyone in the room. As she kept walking, she practically walked into one of 
the nurses. "Oh, sorry, wasn't looking where I was going."

"Yous must be that there new chief. Is Lt. First Class Georgia Lewis, head 
nurse. Kin I gets you anythin?"

"No," Anna smiled. Offering her hand, she said, "We've not met, fancy a 
cuppa? We can have a chat." 

Georgia took the offered hand thinking to herself and they think I talk 
funny. "Fancy a cuppa what?"

"Tea," Anna blushed. "I... that is... if you want to," she said, already 
feeling defeated. 

"Well Missy , whys dinna yous just say yous wanted some tea. Is would be 
right pleased to has some tea wit you."

Gaping slightly, it took a few moments before Anna could unravel what the 
older woman had said. "Yeah, great." She led the way to her office and 
ordered a pot of tea and two cups from the replicator. "Take a seat. How do 
you have your tea?"

"Jest plain is fine wit me. Is know you thinkin hows you suppose to work wit 
someone yous cant understand? Isn't you?"

"Uh-huh?" Anna's eyes glazed over slightly until the words formed into 
english in her mind. "Er, I understand you fine. It'll just take me a while 
to get used to your accent."

"Ain't I speakin so yous kin understand me? Are yous sure yous aint got the 
accent. Is always been talkin like this. Comes from wheres I was raised." 

Anna used pouring the tea as an excuse to not answer straight away. "As I 
said, your accent is just a bit thick, I'll get used to it. So... how long 
have you been on Avalon?"

"Is been on dis ship as long as Ms. Skyler. Dat's over seven years I 
reckon." 

"Wow, you must have seen a lot." 

"I reckon I has. Sum of it good and sum not so good. Where ever Ms. Skyler 
goes, is where Is go. We is a matched set."

"Why's that?" Anna said, honestly interested.

"Wells, when Ms. Skyler's momma and father was kilt, I was left to bring her 
up as one of my own kin. I made a promise to her momma I would always watch 
out fer her. Is don't break my promises."

Crossing her legs under her desk and sipping her tea, Anna smiled at the 
woman who had already impressed her. "How long have you been a nurse then?"

"Wells now let me thinks a moment. I reckon it's been quite sum time, ever 
since my Henry died, and I had to do sumthin to raise up Ms. Skyler. Don't 
know exact yrs, but seems like a life time. Nows wit Ms. Skyler's sister on 
board, Is got to take care of 'em both." 

"So will that cause a conflict with your duties in Sick Bay?"

"No Ma'am. Whys would it? Is know 'bout privledge and stuff likes that. 
Asides, Soliel and Ms. Skyler, theys will usually tells each other stuff 
anyways. Sees, Ms. Skyler dinna know she had a sister 'til a little whiles 
ago. She thought Ms. Sunni had been kilt wit her parents." 

"I just have to be sure, you understand. How did you get on with the last 
CMO?" 

"Wes got along jest fine, why did someone say sumthin bad 'bout me? Is a 
hard worker Ma'am."

"No, not at all. I've heard nothing but good things about you. Will you be 
alright working with me? I know I've had a reputation for being 
unapproachable but I want people to feel like they can come to me about 
anything." 

"I ain't heard nutin Ma'am. I likes to think I kin kit along wit most 
anyone. I will work at my speakin so yous can understands me better." 

"Don't worry, I'm getting used to it, I'll be fine." Anna grinned as she 
finished her tea. "So, shall we get going?" 

"Yous the boss lady. Jest tells me whats to do and I will gets it dun." 

Anna beamed at her as they wandered back through. Once she got through the 
accent problems, they'd get on well, hopefully working well together.

Other related posts: